WASHINGTON
The U.S. vice president on Wednesday told the Greek Cypriot administration leader to work with the newly-elected president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus toward a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Joe Biden called Nicos Anastasiades to discuss bilateral relations, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the decades-long settlement process of Cyprus, according to a White House statement.
"The vice president underscored the importance of seizing the opportunity to work with newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to conclude a settlement as soon as possible to reunify the island as a bizonal, bicommunal federation, which is in the overwhelming interest of all Cypriots," the statement read.
Greek and Turkish Cypriots have tried to find a comprehensive settlement to renew their partnership since a joint government on the island collapsed in 1963.
Peace talks were unilaterally suspended by the Greek Cypriot administration last October after Turkey issued an advisory on behalf of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for seismic research off the coast of Cyprus.
The island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot government in the northern third and Greek Cypriot administration in the southern two-thirds after a 1974 military coup by Greece was followed by the intervention of Turkey as a guarantor power in Cyprus.
